Design and simulation of a low concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system

Rosell, Joan; Vallverdú, Xavier; Lechón, M.A.; Plana, Manuel

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2005.01.012

Cited by 183 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Al-Alilli et al [26] investigated the use of a CPVT in a desiccant cooling system. Finally, Rosell et al [27] investigated a low concentrating PVT system based on a linear Fresnel receiver. The system was analyzed by a mathematical model subsequently validated by experimental data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parabolic Trough Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors: Design and Simulation Model

Calise

Vanoli

2012

Energies

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This paper presents a design procedure and a simulation model of a novel concentrating PVT collector. The layout of the PVT system under investigation was derived from a prototype recently presented in literature and commercially available. The prototype consisted in a parabolic trough concentrator and a linear triangular receiver. In that prototype, the bottom surfaces of the receiver are equipped with mono-crystalline silicon cells whereas the top surface is covered by an absorbing surface. The aperture area of the parabola was covered by a glass in order to improve the thermal efficiency of the system. In the modified version of the collector considered in this paper, two changes are implemented: the cover glass was eliminated and the mono-crystalline silicon cells were replaced by triple-junction cells. In order to analyze PVT performance, a detailed mathematical model was implemented. This model is based on zero-dimensional energy balances. The simulation model calculates the temperatures of the main components of the system and the main energy flows Results showed that the performance of the system is excellent even when the fluid temperature is very high (>100 °C). Conversely, both electrical and thermal efficiencies dramatically decrease when the incident beam radiation decreases.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parabolic Trough Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors: Design and Simulation Model

Calise

Vanoli

2012

Energies

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“…This type of analysis has also been extended to a combined PV/thermal collector system with an optical concentration ratio (CR) of 11. 23 However, PEC and PV systems are inherently different designs due to the electrolyte, which could cause thermal issues due to its insulating properties.…”

Section: Ementioning

confidence: 99%

A Computational Study of Optically Concentrating, Solar-Fuels Generators from Annual Thermal- and Fuel-Production Efficiency Perspectives

Stevens

Weber

2016

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The commercial deployment of wireless photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) may provide a viable means to close the anthropogenic carbon cycle associated with the global transportation sector. The growing body of research on PECs has largely focused on developing and integrating the materials necessary for robust, efficient solar-fuel production on the laboratory benchtop. While these efforts are a prerequisite for the commercialization of PECs, deployed PECs will have to contend with extreme heat, cold, and insolation variations in the outdoor environment. They will also have to operate efficiently throughout their lifetime and in multiple locations. This paper reports a computational framework for estimating the hourly profiles of time-varying temperature and solar-to-hydrogen efficiency that optically concentrating, wireless PECs will attain over the course of a typical year. It is found that annual weighted average solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies in excess of 9 to 11% can be achieved in extremely cloudy and sunny locations, respectively. Additionally, typical PECs will likely incur damage due to overheating or freezing; measures to protect PECs from extreme heat and cold are outlined. The findings also help to bring into focus issues regarding real-world deployment of energy-generation technologies and methodologies towards tackling them. The development of solar-fuel-producing photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) could be a catalyst for decarbonizing the transportation sector, which is critical if we are to reduce anthropogenic global greenhouse-gas emissions. This is because the global transportation sector derived more than 99% of its primary energy from hydrocarbon combustion in 2010 1 and accounted for 22% of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions in 2012.2 These emissions are predicted to grow more than 40% by 2040, 1 enabled by the enormous supply of remaining fossil-fuel reserves that can be refined into transportation fuels.3 Thus, despite probable future increases in the cost of oil and advances in battery technology, it is likely that chemical fuels will directly power the global transportation sector for many years to come.1 For a transition to renewable, PEC-generated fuel to be successful, however, PECs must be deployed on a very large geographical scale due to the diffuse nature of sunlight and the large global energy demand, as well as function for many years. 4,5 PECs convert solar energy into an electric potential using a photovoltaic (PV) light absorber, which then produces fuel via electrochemical reactions at an anode and cathode immersed in an electrolyte. PECs that produce H 2 and O 2 as products consume H 2 O as a reactant. In those that utilize acidic electrolyte, the water-splitting reaction can be understood using three simplified reaction steps. In the first step, photons above the band gap energy of the PV cell must be absorbed to create electron holes (h o ) and electrons (e − ), where n J is the number of junctions in the PV cell,In step 2, the electron holes oxidize the H 2 O at the a...

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“…Rosell et al (2005) demonstrated a system based on this method that had a concentrating ratio of 11. They were able to obtain a maximum thermal efficiency of approximately 60% from their system with no electrical load.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of a V-trough photovoltaic/thermal concentrator

et al. 2014

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The idea of concentrating solar energy to increase the output of photovoltaic and solar thermal collectors is an area that has received significant attention. In this study, a design model for a V-trough concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collector was theoretically analysed and validated with experimental data.The results showed that the V-trough offered improved electrical yields from both concentrating radiation onto the photovoltaic cells and also by actively cooling them. Also, it was shown that the Vtrough could be made of a durable (long life) stainless steel, rather than the more reflective aluminium, while still offering a 25% increase in incident radiation over a typical year. However it was noted that modifications would be needed to improve cooling and to increase the thermal efficiency by reducing heat losses.

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Design and simulation of a low concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system

Cited by 183 publications

References 17 publications

Parabolic Trough Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors: Design and Simulation Model

Parabolic Trough Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors: Design and Simulation Model

A Computational Study of Optically Concentrating, Solar-Fuels Generators from Annual Thermal- and Fuel-Production Efficiency Perspectives

Performance of a V-trough photovoltaic/thermal concentrator

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